—-BJP National Executive—-
Our Correspondent / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said politics should be made central to people’s benefits and therefore democracy must be seen “beyond” the paradigm of electoral victory and loss.
Briefing reporters on the sidelines of the BJP National Executive meet, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in his address to party executives, Mr Modi said, “While election victories and losses will continue, the BJP leaders and workers must see the mandate as people resting faith in them and this is only a means to serve people”.
“Democracy must be seen something beyond mere (contesting and winning) elections …… and the BJP should see power only as a means to serve people,” Mr Modi said at the meet attended by 13 Chief Ministers, six Deputy Chief Ministers, around 1500 MLAs and galaxy of ministers and MPs and BJP’s office bearers and frontal heads. Union Ministers and party veterans LK Advani and MM Joshi also attended. Mr Jaitley said Prime Minister also lashed out at opposition parties and said for long they had practiced the politics of “upbhog (enjoyment)”.
“Therefore, now that they are in opposition, the opposition leaders do not know how to conduct themselves as opposition leaders”, Finance Minister said quoting Prime Minister. Referring to instances wherein opposition leaders have often used strong words against the government and the Prime Minister himself, Mr Modi further said, “mere harsh words cannot be substitute for any substantive charge against the government”.
Mr Modi today also made it clear that: “…..my battle against corruption will not be compromised and no one indulging in dishonesty will be spared”. “Aur isko (battle against corruption) emphasize karne ke liye unhone (PM) ek vakya ka istemal kiya ke ‘I have no relatives’ (To lay emphasis on battle against corruption, Prime Minister made use of one sentence – I have no relatives),” Mr Jaitley said.
“Koi bhi pakada jaega toh bachega nahi (Any one caught indulging in corruption will not be spared),” Mr Modi said. The reference to the word ‘relatives’ is certainly taken as a veiled reference to a section of Congress and RJD leaders whose kith and kin have lately come under scanner for alleged corruption. Answering questions, Mr Jaitley also said, “Any step against black money and corruption was never on UPA’s agenda. Naturally, when we take any step, they will be uneasy about it”.
Quoting Mr Modi’s address, Union Minister and senior party leader Arun Jaitley told reporters, Mr Modi asked the party workers to be part of government welfare schemes to make them successful as no scheme can become successful without people’s participation.
Taking on the opposition, the Prime Minister said harsh language by political adversaries cannot be a substitute of any substantial charge against the government.
Mr Modi alleged that when opposition was in power, it used the power only for personal gains and not for public good.
Mr Jaitley said, the BJP will organise run for unity on 31st of October across the country on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Earlier in the day, the BJP National Executive today passed a political resolution lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in successfully exposing Pakistan on the issue of terrorism before the international community.
Giving details of the political resolution, Union Minister and Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become successful in keeping the issue of scourge of terrorism as an International agenda.Mr Gadkari said, the government has adopted zero tolerance against terrorism.
He said, the terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir have come down due to the action of Security Forces and State police. Mr Gadkari said, stringent action have been taken by the government against terrorist groups.
Mr Gadkari said, Mr. Modi demonstrated political maturity and diplomacy in resolving Doklam standoff between India and China. keeping in mind the neighborhood first policy, the Prime Minister resolved the issue peacefully. He said the party supported the government’s stand on the Rohingya issue, saying it fulfilled its responsibilities by providing humanitarian relief to Bangladesh for Rohingya refugees while ensuring that internal security is not
compromised.
Mr. Gadkari said, the NDA government has accelerated the counrty’s development. Mr Gadkari said, the party in its resolution has taken a resolve to fulfill the dream of New India by 2022, when the Country celebrates 75th year of Independence.
He said, the New India will be free from poverty, facilities of healthcare and education will be available to the people.
The resolution also talked about governemnt’s various welfare schemes including Ujjawala Yojana, MUDRA Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikahs Yojana and others.
In his inaugural address in the morning, BJP Chief Amit Shah attacked Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks that the dynasty is everywhere in India whether it is politics or business.
Mr. Shah countered him saying President, Prime Minister and Vice President have reached there positions due to performance. Briefing media, party leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal informed that the BJP Chief said, his party believes in politics of performance unlike Congress which believes in dynasty and politics of appeasement.
Mr. Shah said, the country has rejected the politics of casteism, dynasty and appeasement.
Mr. Shah also said the BJP is committed to ridding the country from casteism, corruption and poverty.
In his speech, Mr Shah also condemned the violence against BJP cadres in Kerala and West Bengal saying the BJP workers can not be cowed down by political violence.
Mr Goyal said, party workers will take out a Padyatra from 3rd to 17th of next month in Kerala to connect with the people.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Shah inaugurated BJP National executive meeting.
The meet began today on the occasion of birth anniversary of BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay.